The city of Germantown, Tennessee, is on the verge of approving a new "Smart Code" based on Smart Growth and New Urbanism principles. City officials are hoping the new zoning changes will allow the city's economy to blossom.
"Germantown's Mayor and Board of Aldermen on Monday will give a final reading to the proposed Smart Code - a drastic revision to the city's zoning codes."
"If approved, the new codes will shed the old principles of Germantown's commercial zoning, which prohibit mixed-use development and limit building height, and instead foster 'New Urbanism,' a city zoning concept that combines commercial, residential and retail space with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and intricate streetscapes."
"'We don't have a town square where you park your car in one area and walk around and you shop and stroll,' said Mike Palazzolo, city alderman and the bank president at Germantown's Landmark Community Bank. 'We wanted to come up with that kind of flair and concept.'"
"'We're almost to the stage of build out,' Palazzolo said. 'This is something that will be a long-term benefit to our community that will be far-reaching. It's going to help stabilize the tax base and give us sustainability.'"
FULL STORY: Germantown Leaders Position Town For Smarter Growth

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service